Polymeric coating applicators and methods of filling same

Abstract

A method of filling CARC (chemical agent resistant coating) applicators ensures integrity of the CARC paint. The method incorporates the steps of the steps of pre-priming a container and applicator with a solvent to ensure evacuation of air; pre-reducing the chemical agent resistant coating with a reduction thinning agent to a final viscosity such that the final assembled applicator produces an atomization mist suitable to apply said coating; agitating the pre-reduced coating on a paint shaker; continuously purging a hermetically sealed chamber with nitrogen or another dry inert gas; preheating all items that will come in direct contact with said coating to eliminate any residual moisture within each item; assembling said dry preheated items and immediately transferring them into said chamber inserting steel sphere agitation units into a dried container, such that each container contains three small spheres and one large sphere; transferring the coating into said chamber prior to opening said container; filling said container; and purging the filled container with nitrogen or other inert gas then immediately sealing said container and removing it from said chamber.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Applicant claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61 / 456 / 100, filed Nov. 1, 2010.[0002]The present invention related to apparatus for applying polymeric coatings in military, commercial, or industrial applications, power spray and trigger / pump spray applicators for these coatings and methods of filling the applicators.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0003]The invention has specific utility in the military application of CARC, (chemical agent resistant coating). It is applied to military vehicles to provide resistance to chemical and biologic agents. The CARC coating permits vehicles and equipment to be more easily decontaminated in the event of exposure to chemical and biological agents.[0004]In addition, CARC provides both visual camouflage and IR signature management. It is the IR signature management that is critical to maintain true camouflage. For example, by mimicking the IR signature of a heavi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, by mimicking the IR signature of a heavily wooded environment, a vehicle having a woodland camo CARC finish is more difficult to identify because its IR signature appears to be the same as its surrounding environment.

The prior use of two component CARC has thus limited the effectiveness and ease of use of aerosol spray applicators for CARC.

While aerosol cans of coatings are commonplace, it has been difficult to put single component moisture cure CARC coating into a traditional aerosol container.

The coating cures by reaction with moisture and it has proven difficult to exclude moisture during the filling of aerosol cans.

The unit will not operate when held at an angle greater than 45° and clogs easily.